NOAA Fisheries

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

Status of Stocks

Report on the Status of U.S. Fisheries for 2011

 
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE 

2011 REPORT TO CONGRESS 

THE STATUS OF U.S. FISHERIES 

As mandated by the Sustainable Fisheries Act amendment to 

the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1996 

May, 2012 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Office of Sustainable Fisheries 
Summary of Changes

2010 2011

Subject to 

Overshing 40 (16%) 36 (14%)

Overshed 48 (23%) 45 (21%)

Rebuilt 21 27

A Message from the NOAA Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries

I am pleased to present the Report on the Status 

of U.S. Fisheries for 2011. As the nation reaches 

a historic milestone in 2012—with the full 

implementation of annual catch limits (ACLs) 

and accompanying accountability measures for 

all domestic stocks—it is fitting this report is 

equally historic in the progress it documents 

toward rebuilding our nation’s fisheries. 

In 2011, a record six stocks were determined 

to be rebuilt, with a decrease in the numbers of 

both overfished stocks and stocks experiencing 

overfishing. These results underscore the 

strength of our science-based management 

process, and clearly demonstrate we are actively 

turning the corner on ending overfishing and 

rebuilding our nation’s fisheries. 

The results in 2011 reflect the tremendous efforts of fishermen, fishing communities, and 

the Regional Fishery Management Councils to make the difficult decisions and absorb the 

costs of conservation and investment in long-term economic and biological sustainability 

of the resource. This report also continues to illustrate the importance of assessments for 

stocks that are rebuilding to verify their status in a timely manner. In 2011, we reviewed 

the status of 214 stocks compared to 189 in 2010. Among these were eight stocks with a 

previously unknown status.

As envisioned by the 2007 Magnuson-Stevens Act, when the remaining ACLs are fully 

implemented this 2012 fishing season, U.S. fisheries management will be strengthened as 

an accountable and adaptable process that both prevents overfishing from occurring, and 

quickly responds if it does occur. 

In closing, we will continue to work with the Councils, Interstate Marine Fisheries 

Commissions, and stakeholders to build on the 35 years of evolution and innovation 

in fisheries management that has become a global model of success. We appreciate the 

support of Congress, our state partners, and stakeholders as we continue this stewardship 

mission together.

. 

Samuel D. Rauch III 

Stocks at a Glance

Overfishing Status

•	 222 stocks (86%) are not

subject to overfishing

•	 36 stocks (14%) are subject to

overfishing

Overfished Status

•	 174 stocks (79%) are not

overfished

•	 45 stocks (21%) are overfished

Rebuilt Status

•	 6 stocks declared rebuilt, totaling

27 stocks rebuilt to date

•	 51 stocks in rebuilding plans,

with 6 additional plans in 

development

For complete information, go to 

www.nmfs.noaa.gov.

 

U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | National Marine Fisheries Service

 NOAA Fisheries

Status of Stocks - 2011

Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................ 1

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 3

BEST AVAILABLE INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................... 4

OBJECTIVE AND MEASURABLE CRITERIA ..................................................................... 4

BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE...................................................................................... 4

APPLYING THE RESULTS ........................................................................................ 4

OVERFISHING STATUS......................................................................................................................................... 7

OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................... 7

CHANGES IN OVERFISHING STATUS ............................................................................ 7

OVERFISHED STATUS .......................................................................................................................................... 8

OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................... 8

CHANGES IN OVERFISHED STATUS ............................................................................. 8

BIOMASS AND REBUILDING................................................................................................................................. 9

CHANGES IN BIOMASS LEVELS AND REBUILT STOCKS ....................................................... 9

BIOMASS AND MORTALITY TRENDS IN STOCKS UNDER REBUILDING PLANS............................... 9

IMPLEMENTING ANNUAL CATCH LIMITS.............................................................................................................10

SANDBAR SHARK – EFFECTIVE ACL IMPLEMENTATION ................................................... 10

STATUS DETERMINATIONS BY REGION................................................................................................................12

NORTHEAST REGION .......................................................................................... 12

SOUTHEAST REGION........................................................................................... 13

SOUTHWEST REGION .......................................................................................... 14

NORTHWEST REGION.......................................................................................... 15

PACIFIC ISLANDS REGION..................................................................................... 16

ALASKA REGION ............................................................................................... 17

ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES................................................................... 18

STOCK STATUS COMPARISON BETWEEN 2010 AND 2011 .................................................... 19

 



NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 1 

Executive Summary 

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that NOAA’s National Marine 

Fisheries Service (NMFS) report annually to Congress and the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils on the 

status of fisheries (Sec. 304(e)(1)). This report fulfills that requirement. 

The information in this report was generated by the NMFS regional offices and science centers based on the most 

recent stock assessments as of December 31, 2011. Status determinations are generally made during a formal review 

using the best available scientific information from a scientific assessment and the status determination criteria 

specified in a fishery management plan. 

Stocks identified in this report are characterized under two broad categories: (1) subject to overfishing and (2) 

overfished. A stock that is subject to overfishing has a fishing mortality (harvest) rate above the level that provides 

for the maximum sustainable yield (i.e., rate of removals is too high). A stock that is overfished has a biomass level 

below a biological threshold specified in its fishery management plan 

(i.e., the population is too low). 

In 2011, NMFS managed 5371

 individual stocks and stock complexes 

within 452

 federal fishery management plans nationwide. 

Determinations of both overfishing and overfished status could be 

made for 202 stocks and complexes. An additional 75 stocks or stock 

complexes have either a known overfishing determination or a known 

overfished determination. The number of stocks listed as subject to 

overfishing has decreased by 4 and overfished has decreased by 3, as 

compared to the 2010 report (see chart). 

Overfishing 

Of the 258 stocks or stock complexes for which an overfishing determination could be made, 36 (14%) are subject 

to overfishing and 222 (86%) are not subject to overfishing. 

Overfished

Of the 219 stocks or stock complexes for which an overfished determination could be made, 45 (21%) are 

overfished and 174 (79%) are not overfished.3

Rebuilding 

NMFS tracks the biomass trends for overfished stocks to monitor rebuilding progress. In 2011, six stocks have fully 

rebuilt to at least 100% of their BMSY levels, bringing the total number of stocks rebuilt since 2000 to 27. More 

stocks were declared rebuilt in 2011 than in any other single year tracked.

 

1

 528 stocks and stock complexes were reviewed in the 2010 report. This report modifies listings consistent with the adoption of annual catch limits and the inclusion of ecosystem component 

(EC) stocks. Since EC stocks are not managed, they do not have status determinations. For a full accounting of stocks and stock complexes modified, see Appendix 1 on the website. 2

 This number does not include the Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture FMP. This FMP has no stocks managed in it and is otherwise not considered in this report. Effective October 24 2011, the Stone 

Crab FMP in the Gulf of Mexico – was repealed and its implementing regulations removed, as that fishery is managed primarily by the states (76 FR 59064, September 23, 2011). 3

This number includes 5 stocks that are approaching an overfished condition.

Summary of Changes

 2010 2011 

Subject to 

Overfishing 40 (16%) 36 (14%) 

Overfished 48 22%) 45 (21%) 
2 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Tracking Progress 

NMFS measures the sustainability of our Nation’s fisheries through the Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI). The 

FSSI measures the performance of 230 key stocks, and the score increases as additional assessments are conducted, 

overfishing is ended, and stocks rebuild to the level that provides maximum sustainable yield. The FSSI was first 

reported in 2005, with an end-of-year score of 495.5. The value of the FSSI has been calculated back to 2000. Out of 

920 possible points, the index increased from 357.5 in 2000 to 598.5 in 2011 (see Figure 3). The 67% increase in the 

FSSI in 11 years represents significant progress in sustainably managing our fisheries. More information about the 

FSSI is available online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm. 

Figure 3. Fish Stock Sustainability Index (FSSI) for 230 key stocks. 

357.5

369.5

413.5

431.5

456

495.5 506.5

531

555.5

573 583

598.5

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

650

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

FSSI

Year
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 3 

Introduction

This report describes the state of our Nation’s marine fisheries and the effectiveness of fisheries management under 

the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), 16 USC 1801, et seq. This report fulfills 

the Congressional requirement in Sec. 304(e)(1) of the MSA for an annual report on the status of fisheries within 

each Fishery Management Council’s geographic area of authority and to identify fisheries that are overfished or 

approaching a condition of being overfished. 

In 1996, the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA) emphasized the need to end overfishing, rebuild overfished stocks, and 

establish management plans designed to ensure biologically and economically sustainable fisheries. A stock that is 

subject to overfishing has a fishing mortality (harvest) rate above the level that provides for the maximum 

sustainable yield (i.e., rate of removals is too high). A stock that is overfished has a biomass level below its 

prescribed biological threshold (i.e., population size is too low). While the MSA establishes the term “overfished,” 

such status may occur due to environmental factors and may not be the result solely of overfishing. 

In 2007, the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act (MSRA) added 

new requirements for annual catch limits (ACL) and accountability 

measures to end and prevent overfishing in all U.S. fisheries. These 

measures were required to be established by 2010 for all stocks 

subject to overfishing and by 2011 for all other stocks, with 

exceptions for stocks with annual life cycles or those managed 

under international agreements to which the United States is a party. 

This report covers the managed marine fish stocks in the U.S. 

Exclusive Economic Zone4

, including stocks that straddle 

international boundaries and highly migratory stocks. In response to 

the Congressional requirement, the report categorizes stocks 

according to their status. The report answers four questions which 

help illustrate the effectiveness of management measures in meeting the provisions of the MSA: 

1. What stocks are or are not subject to overfishing? 

2. What stocks are overfished or above their threshold levels? 

3. What stocks are approaching an overfished condition? 

4. How do this year’s determinations compare to last year? 

Information on fishing mortality and biomass trends for stocks in rebuilding plans—which can show whether 

management measures to end overfishing are working and whether the biomass of the stock is rebuilding as 

planned—is available online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm. 

Additional information on many important federally managed fish stocks, particularly 

those of interest to seafood consumers, is available online at our FishWatch website: 

http://www.fishwatch.gov. FishWatch provides retailers and interested consumers with 

the most up-to-date facts about the science and management of the fisheries supporting 

sustainable seafood choices in the U.S. FishWatch is not an eco-label, but rather a 

neutral platform for presenting distilled scientific and management information about 

popular species of wild-caught and farm-raised seafood. 

 

 

4

 The U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone generally extends from 3 to 200 nautical miles offshore and covers more than 2 million square miles.

Overfishing

The rate of removal from a stock is too 

high. 

Overfished

The population is too low, below a 

prescribed threshold. 
4 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Best Available Information

Objective and Measurable Criteria 

The MSA requires that a fishery management plan (FMP) specify “objective and measurable criteria” for identifying 

the status of a stock of fish. These status determination criteria (SDC) are typically developed during a scientific 

assessment and specify two general reference points: a maximum fishing mortality threshold (MFMT) and a 

minimum stock size threshold (MSST). The MFMT corresponds to a mortality level that, if exceeded, results in 

overfishing. The MSST represents a stock size level, below which indicates that the stock is overfished. These 

reference levels should have a corresponding numerical estimate that is used to compare against estimated fishing 

mortality/catch level and stock size to provide the basis for status determinations. 

The MSA also states that for stocks in a FMP, the status shall be determined using those specified criteria. Most 

stocks in this report have SDC specified in their FMP which serve as the basis to determine stock status5

. Some 

stocks have defined SDC yet have never been assessed relative to them or the assessment failed to provide a 

conclusive determination about status.6

 Still others may have no objective or measureable SDC.7 

Best Available Science 

An assessment is the analysis of the abundance and composition of a fish stock. The assessment informs managers 

on the appropriate level of harvest to ensure the sustainability of the stock. Stock assessments use data available 

from fishery landings, scientific surveys, and biological and ecological studies, and represent the best information 

we have on a stock’s status. An assessment typically undergoes thorough peer review before it is used by the 

Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee to provide the Council with fishing level recommendations. 

Guidelines to comply with National Standard 2 of the MSA provide direction on how to implement the best 

scientific information available. 

Applying the Results 

Assessments examine a stock according to the reference points specified (i.e., the SDC). Occasionally, an 

assessment revises the reference points for a stock, if new information provides a better understanding of the 

relevant parameters. In such a case, the revised reference points represent the best scientific information available 

for that stock. Since assessment status determinations – and specifically changes identified in this report – guide 

management decisions, many FMPs automatically adopt and implement revisions to the reference points as their 

SDC when new assessments provide them. For those FMPs that do not do so automatically, a discrepancy develops 

between the requirements to list a stock based on the SDC or to provide the best scientific information available, as 

specified in the MSA. In order to provide the most recent best information on the status of a stock, NMFS provides 

status determinations using the best scientific information available (that is, the latest assessment results). NMFS 

encourages and supports the Councils in their efforts to amend FMPs as quickly as practicable to adopt the new 

reference points.8

Some of the determinations in this report use the results of peer reviewed stock assessments and some use other 

information – such as trawl survey data or total catch data – as specified by the SDC. Some SDCs apply to an 

individual stock; in other cases SDCs apply to a group of similar species harvested together or sharing a similar life 

history. These groups are referred to as stock complexes, units, or assemblages. Such groupings are useful when 

individual stocks cannot be assessed due to a lack of data. The status of individual stocks in a complex may be 

determined using the SDC of one or more appropriate indicator stocks in the complex, or the SDC may apply to the 

complex as a whole. Information on the methodology used for status determinations can be found in Appendix 1, 

 

5

Some stocks have status determinations based on criteria not contained in the FMP but on other criteria that is considered to be the best scientific 

information available. Alaska SDCs are generally specified in the annual Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) Report, rather than in 

the FMP itself.

6

 Such stocks are listed in this report as unknown. 7

 Such stocks are listed in this report as undefined because there is no basis for determining status. 8

 Until this is done, the official status will be based on assessment results and footnoted to indicate status relative to SDC in the FMP. 
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 5 

and information on the specific science used to make the determinations can be found in Appendix 4. These 

appendices are also available online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm. 

In 2011, NMFS reviewed status determinations on 214 stocks and stock complexes. Six of these stocks now have 

known overfishing determinations in 2011—that is, their overfishing determination was previously unknown. Four 

additional stocks have overfished determinations in 2011—that is, their overfished determination was previously 

unknown/undefined. Of those stocks with new determinations, five are not subject to overfishing and are not 

overfished. Management action is underway to address the stocks that were newly determined to be subject to 

overfishing or overfished. 

This year’s report is based on assessments completed as of December 31, 2011. The status of all 537 stocks and 

stock complexes is summarized in Table 1.
6 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Table 1. Number and status of FSSI and non-FSSI stocks in 2011 by Council. 

*HMS = highly migratory species. ** These two councils manage the Pacific halibut resource, which is managed by a treaty between the United States and Canada 

through recommendations of the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC).

Not Known: Stocks for which there is an approved overfishing definition, but for which no determination can be made because of insufficient information. 

Not Defined: Stocks contained in FMPs for which the overfishing definitions were fully disapproved, are still under review, or have yet to be proposed. 

Council 

Stock 

Group 

Total # of 

Stocks 

Reviewed 

Overfishing Overfished 

Yes No 

Not 

Known 

Not 

Defined N/A Yes No Approaching 

Not 

Known 

Not 

Defined N/A 

Caribbean 

FSSI 8 4 1 3 0 0 4 0 1 3 0 0 

non-FSSI 16 1 0 14 1 0 0 0 1 14 1 0 

Total 24 5 1 17 1 0 4 0 2 17 1 0 

Gulf of Mexico 

FSSI 16 4 10 2 0 0 4 7 0 3 2 0 

non-FSSI 22 0 4 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 22 0 

Total 38 4 14 20 0 0 4 7 0 3 24 0 

HMS*, 

Atlantic 

FSSI 21 8 11 2 0 0 8 9 2 2 0 0 

non-FSSI 6 1 1 4 0 0 1 1 0 4 0 0 

Total 27 9 12 6 0 0 9 10 2 6 0 0 

Mid-Atlantic 

FSSI 11 0 10 1 0 0 1 9 0 1 0 0 

non-FSSI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 11 0 10 1 0 0 1 9 0 1 0 0 

New England 

FSSI 34 8 24 0 2 0 11 20 0 2 1 0 

non-FSSI 2 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 36 8 25 1 2 0 13 20 0 2 1 0 

New 

England/MidAtlantic 

FSSI 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 

non-FSSI 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Total 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 

North Pacific 

FSSI 35 0 35 0 0 0 2 28 0 0 5 0 

non-FSSI 29 0 21 6 1 1 0 4 0 4 21 0 

Total 64 0 56 6 1 1 2 32 0 4 26 0 

Pacific 

FSSI 48 0 33 14 1 0 4 32 0 9 3 0 

non-FSSI 119 0 23 49 9 38 2 27 0 48 4 38 

Total 167 0 56 63 10 38 6 59 0 57 7 38 

Pacific/Western 

Pacific 

FSSI 6 2 2 2 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 0 

non-FSSI 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 

Total 8 2 2 4 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 

South Atlantic 

FSSI 23 8 14 1 0 0 5 9 1 8 0 0 

non-FSSI 60 0 9 51 0 0 0 1 0 54 5 0 

Total 83 8 23 52 0 0 5 10 1 62 5 0 

South 

Atlantic/Gulf 

of Mexico 

FSSI 9 0 9 0 0 0 0 6 0 2 1 0 

non-FSSI 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 

Total 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 7 0 2 1 0 

Western Pacific 

FSSI 16 0 7 9 0 0 1 7 0 8 0 0 

non-FSSI 50 0 3 9 38 0 0 1 0 11 38 0 

Total 66 0 10 18 38 0 1 8 0 19 38 0 

Total 

FSSI 230 34 159 34 3 0 40 134 4 40 12 0 

non-FSSI 307 2 63 154 49 39 5 35 1 137 91 38 

Total 537 36 222 188 52 39 45 169 5 177 103 38 
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 7 

Overfishing Status

Overview 

Of the 537 stocks or stocks complexes managed in 2011: 

• 258 have a known overfishing status. 

o 222 (86%) stocks or stock complexes are not subject to overfishing. 

o 36 (14%) stocks or stock complexes are subject to overfishing. 

• 279 have overfishing thresholds not defined or applicable, or the overfishing status is unknown. 

Changes in Overfishing Status 

Six NMFS regions had stocks with overfishing status changes from 2010 to 2011 (see Table 2). 

Table 2. Changes in overfishing status from 2010 to 2011. 

Region Total # of 

stocks Stock Change from 2010-2011 

Alaska 1 Golden king crab – Pribilof Islands Not subject to overfishing (previously 

unknown) 

Highly Migratory 

Species, Atlantic 

1 Sandbar shark – Atlantic No longer subject to overfishing 

1 Scalloped hammerhead – Atlantic Subject to overfishing (previously unknown) 

Northeast 

2 

Winter flounder - Georges Bank 

Winter flounder - Southern New England / MidAtlantic No longer subject to overfishing 

2 Red hake - Gulf of Maine / Northern Georges Bank 

Winter flounder - Gulf of Maine 

Not subject to overfishing (previously 

unknown) 

Northwest 1 Longnose skate - Pacific Coast Not subject to overfishing (previously 

unknown) 

Southeast 

1 Tilefish – Southern Atlantic Coast No longer subject to overfishing 

1 Yellowedge grouper – Gulf of Mexico Not subject to overfishing (previously 

unknown) 

Southwest 1 Yellowfin tuna – Eastern Tropical Pacific No longer subject to overfishing 
8 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Overfished Status

Overview 

Of the 537 stocks or stocks complexes managed in 2011: 

 219 have a known overfished status. 

o 174 (79%) stocks or stock complexes are not overfished 

 5 of these stocks are approaching an overfished condition 

o 45 (21%) stocks or stock complexes are overfished. 

 318 have overfished thresholds not defined or applicable, or the overfished status is unknown. 

Changes in Overfished Status 

Five NMFS regions had stocks with overfished status changes from 2010 to 2011 (see Table 3). 

Table 3. Changes in overfished status from 2010 to 2011. 

Region Total # of 

stocks Stock Change from 2010-2011 

Alaska 1 Gulf of Alaska Shallow Water Flatfish Complex Not overfished (previously undefined) 

Highly 

Migratory 

Species – 

Atlantic 

1 Scalloped hammerhead – Atlantic Now overfished (previously part of LCS* 

Complex and unknown) 

Northeast 2 Winter flounder - Georges Bank 

Smooth skate - Gulf of Maine No longer overfished 

Northwest 

1 Petrale sole - Pacific Coast No longer overfished 

2 Greenspotted rockfish - Pacific Coast 

Spiny dogfish - Pacific Coast Not overfished (previously unknown) 

1 Pacific ocean perch - Pacific Coast Now overfished 

1 Coho salmon - Washington Coast: Queets No longer overfished (rebuilt) 

Southeast 

1 Yellowedge grouper - Gulf of Mexico Not overfished (previously unknown) 

1 Black sea bass – Southern Atlantic Coast No longer overfished 

* LCS – Large Coastal Shark 
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 9 

Biomass and Rebuilding 

Biomass is an important measure of a stock’s abundance and sustainability. For overfished stocks, tracking biomass 

trends is used as an indicator of rebuilding progress. The NMFS Fish Stock Sustainability Index9

 (FSSI) established 

a ratio of the current stock biomass (B) to the biomass that supports the maximum sustainable yield (BMSY) as an 

indicator of sustainability. Stocks with a B/BMSY above 80% are considered to be within the range of natural 

fluctuation around BMSY, which is defined as a long-term average. 

Changes in Biomass Levels and Rebuilt Stocks 

Five NMFS regions had stocks with biomass increases to above 80% of BMSY from 2010 to 2011 (see Table 4). Six 

stocks have been declared rebuilt in 2011. 

Table 4. Changes in biomass levels from 2010 to 2011. 

Region Total # of 

stocks Stock Change from 2010-2011 

Alaska 

1 Snow crab - Bering Sea Rebuilt 

1 Walleye pollock - Eastern Bering Sea B/BMSY > 80% 

Northeast 

2 

Summer flounder - Mid-Atlantic Coast 

Haddock - Gulf of Maine Rebuilt 

1 Longfin inshore squid - Georges Bank / Cape Hatteras B/BMSY > 80% (was previously not 

estimated) 

2 Silver hake - Gulf of Maine / Northern Georges Bank 

Little skate - Georges Bank / Southern New England B/BMSY > 80% 

1 Silver hake - Southern Georges Bank / Mid-Atlantic B/ BMSY < 80% 

Northwest 

3 

Chinook salmon - Northern California Coast: Klamath (fall) 

Coho salmon - Washington Coast: Queets 

Widow rockfish - Pacific Coast 

Rebuilt 

1 Pacific hake - Pacific Coast B/ BMSY > 80% 

1 Spiny dogfish - Pacific Coast B/ BMSY > 80% (was previously not 

estimated) 

1 Blackgill rockfish - Southern California B/ BMSY < 80% 

Southeast 1 Yellowedge grouper - Gulf of Mexico B/ BMSY > 80% (was previously not 

estimated) 

Southwest/ 

Pacific Islands 

1 Bigeye tuna - Pacific B/ BMSY >80% 

 

Biomass and Mortality Trends in Stocks under Rebuilding Plans 

The most recent information on trends in fishing mortality (F) and biomass (B) for stocks under rebuilding plans is 

available online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm. 

 

9

The FSSI is a performance measure developed by NMFS to assess the sustainability of 230 U.S. fish stocks selected for their importance to 

commercial and recreational fisheries. 
10 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Implementing Annual Catch Limits

With the reauthorization of the MSA in 2007, the Congress mandated NMFS and the Councils to implement ACLs, 

including measures to ensure accountability, at a level such that overfishing does not occur in a fishery. The MSA 

required ACLs that end overfishing in fisheries subject to overfishing by 2010, and in all other fisheries by 2011, 

with limited exceptions10. Over the last five years, NMFS, fishermen, the Councils, our partner organizations, the 

science community, and many others have been actively engaged in and dedicated to achieving this goal. As of 

December 31, 2011, 40 of the 4511 FMPs have ACLs and corresponding accountability measures in place. The 

remaining five plans will have ACLs in place that are effective in the 2012 fishing year. Fishing years may start as 

late as September for some fisheries. More details on ACL implementation can be found here: 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2012/01/docs/Annual%20Catch%20Limits%20Fact%20Sheet%20Final.pdf

While complying with the ACL requirement, some Councils adjusted 

the listings of stocks contained in the management unit of their FMPs. 

These changes were done to more accurately account for stocks 

within a fishery versus those that are ecosystem component stocks. 

The MSA gives Councils considerable discretion in defining a 

“fishery” under their FMPs. Some FMPs include one or a few stocks, 

whereas others include hundreds of species in an effort to incorporate 

ecosystem approaches to management. NMFS considers all stocks in 

a FMP to be “in the fishery” unless a stock has been specifically 

identified through a FMP or FMP amendment as an “ecosystem 

component species.” Ecosystem component species, not a target of a 

fishery, are not required to have ACLs. 

The net effect of these adjustments is to better comply with the intent of the MSA to apply ACLs to fisheries in an 

efficient management system. These adjustments can be seen in the numbers of stocks and complexes contained in 

this report, as well as by the inclusion of those listed as “ecosystem component” species in the report tables. 

While most fisheries have ACLs in place, many have had them for only a short period – in some cases less than a 

full fishing year – as of the date of this report (December 31, 2011). Some fisheries have had an ACL in place for a 

full fishing year, but final data are not yet available to compare total landings to the ACL. Audits to ensure accuracy 

mean data may not be available until up to 6 months or more after the end of the fishing year. In other fisheries, 

assessments are required to determine if an ACL has truly ended overfishing on the stock. So while it may be 

possible to compare landings to the ACL, until an assessment is completed, it is not possible to change a status 

determination to “no longer subject to overfishing.” However, NMFS highlights one successful example of ACL 

implementation. 

Sandbar shark – Effective ACL Implementation 

The sandbar shark is managed as part of the large coastal shark 

complex in the Consolidated Highly Migratory Species FMP. 

Sandbar sharks are common both inshore and offshore in the western 

North Atlantic, ranging from southern New England to the Caribbean 

and Gulf of Mexico to southern Brazil. These sharks are known to 

migrate large distances. 

Fishing mortality on sandbar shark was very low in 1960-1981 due to 

greatly reduced catches and effort during that period. Starting in 1982, fishing mortality always exceeded 

recommendations. According to the 2005/06 stock assessment, sandbar sharks were overfished and overfishing was 

 

10Exceptions specified in reauthorized MSA section 104(b) are: unless otherwise provided for under an international agreement in which the 

United States participates, and species that have a life cycle of approximately 1 year unless the Secretary has determined the fishery is subject to 

overfishing of that species. 

11 Excludes the Gulf of Mexico Aquaculture and Stone Crab FMPs. See footnote 2 on page 1. 

In the Fishery

Stocks that are actively targeted 

Ecosystem Component

A non-target stock that is not subject to 

overfishing or overfished (or likely to 

become so), and generally not retained 

for sale or personal use 

Illustration of Sandbar Shark by Diane Rome Peebles 

http://dnr.maryland.gov/mydnr/CreatureFeature/sandbarshark.asp 
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 11 

occurring. This assessment served as the basis for this species’ listings through the 2010 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

report. 

Amendment 2 to the FMP established a revised 66-year rebuilding plan for sandbar shark. The plan restricted 

sandbar shark to a research only fishery and set a base annual commercial quota equal (or ACL) to 116.6 metric 

tons, dressed weight. This quota was allocated to the vessels operating in the research fishery. Fishing mortality 

dropped below prescribed levels in 2008 and 2009. The most recent assessment, finalized in 2011 and utilizing data 

from the fishery after Amendment 2 was put in place, indicates that overfishing has indeed ended for this species. 

Table 5. Status history for sandbar shark. 

Status in Overfishing Overfished Rebuilding status 

2000 Yes Yes12 39-year plan 

2005@ Yes No 

2010^ Yes Yes Year 3 of 66‐year plan*

2011 No Yes Year 4 of 66‐year plan

@ Based on a 2002 assessment. ^ Based on the 2005/06 assessment. * Revised per Amendment 2 to the FMP.

 

12 At this time, NMFS was unable to implement rebuilding measures under a court-approved settlement that prevented the commercial quota 

reduction until a peer review of the assessment was completed. 
12 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Status Determinations by Region 

Northeast Region 

Thirteen FMPs containing 50 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the New England and Mid-Atlantic 

Fishery Management Councils. Within these FMPs, 8 stocks are subject to overfishing, 14 stocks are overfished, and 

no stocks are approaching an overfished condition (Table 6).13

New England Mid-Atlantic 

1. Atlantic Salmon 

2. Atlantic Sea Scallop 

3. Northeast Multispecies 

4. Northeast Skate 

5. Atlantic Herring 

6. Red Crab 

7. Monkfish 

1. Atlantic Bluefish 

2. Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish 

3. Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog 

4. Spiny Dogfish 

5. Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea 

Bass 

6. Tilefish 

Table 6. Northeast Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished 

condition. 

Council FMP Stock Overfishing 

condition 

Overfished Condition 

Overfished Approaching 

New 

England 

Atlantic salmon Atlantic salmon* x 

Northeast Multispecies 

cod - Georges Bank x x 

cod - Gulf of Maine x 

Atlantic halibut x 

Atlantic wolffish x 

ocean pout x 

white hake x x 

windowpane - GOM/GB x x 

windowpane - SNE/MA x 

winter flounder - SNE/MA x 

witch flounder x x 

yellowtail flounder - Cape Cod/GOM x x 

yellowtail flounder - Georges Bank x 

yellowtail flounder - SNE/MA x x 

 Northeast Skate thorny skate - Gulf of Maine x 

Mid-Atlantic Atlantic Mackerel, 

Squid, and Butterfish 

butterfish x 

*No fishing is allowed in this fishery, or incidental harvest is limited to levels necessary to meet Endangered Species Act (ESA) requirements. A Final Recovery Plan 

for the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon has been developed under the ESA. 

GOM = Gulf of Maine, GB = Georges Bank, SNE = Southern New England, MA = Mid-Atlantic. 

 

13Assessment results for 19 stocks in the Northeast Multispecies FMP will not be used to make determinations until the FMP is amended to 

reflect the SDCs recommended in the assessment.
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 13 

Southeast Region 

Seventeen FMPs containing 154 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the South Atlantic, Caribbean, and 

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils. Within these FMPs, 17 stocks are subject to overfishing, 13 stocks 

are overfished, and three stocks are approaching an overfished condition (Table 7). 

South Atlantic Gulf of Mexico Caribbean 

1. Coral, Coral Reefs, and Live/Hard 

Bottom Habitats of the South 

Atlantic Region 

2. Dolphin Wahoo 

3. Pelagic Sargassum Habitat of the 

South Atlantic Region 

4. South Atlantic Golden Crab 

5. South Atlantic Shrimp 

6. South Atlantic Snapper Grouper 

1. Aquaculture 

2. Coastal Migratory Pelagics of the 

Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic 

3. Coral and Coral Reefs of the Gulf of 

Mexico 

4. Gulf of Mexico/South Atlantic 

Spiny Lobster 

5. Gulf of Mexico Red Drum 

6. Gulf of Mexico Shrimp 

7. Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of 

Mexico 

1. Corals and Reef Associated 

Invertebrates of Puerto Rico and the 

U.S. Virgin Islands 

2. Reef Fish Fishery of Puerto Rico and 

the U.S. Virgin Islands 

3. Spiny Lobster Fishery of Puerto Rico 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands 

4. Queen Conch Resources of Puerto 

Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 

Table 7. Southeast Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished 

condition. 

Council FMP Stock Overfishing 

condition 

Overfished Condition 

Overfished Approaching 

South 

Atlantic 

South Atlantic Snapper 

Grouper 

black sea bass x 

gag x x

red grouper x x 

red porgy x 

red snapper x x 

snowy grouper x x 

speckled hind x 

vermilion snapper x

Warsaw grouper x

South Atlantic Shrimp pink shrimp x 

Gulf of 

Mexico 

Reef Fish Resources of 

the Gulf of Mexico 

gag x x

gray triggerfish x x

greater amberjack x x

red snapper x x

Caribbean 

Reef Fish Fishery of 

Puerto Rico and the 

USVI 

Grouper Unit 1 x x

Grouper Unit 2 x

Grouper Unit 4 x x

Snapper Unit 1 x x

Parrotfish complex x x

Queen Conch Resources 

of Puerto Rico and the 

USVI 

queen conch x x

USVI = United States Virgin Islands 
14 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Southwest Region 

Two FMPs containing 18 stocks or complexes14 are managed by NMFS and the Pacific Fishery Management 

Council. Within these FMPs, two stocks are subject to overfishing, no stocks are overfished, and no stocks are 

approaching an overfished condition (Table 8). 

Pacific 

1. Coastal Pelagic Species 

2. West Coast Highly Migratory Species 

Table 8. Southwest Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished 

condition. 

Council FMP Stock Overfishing 

condition 

Overfished Condition 

Overfished Approaching 

Pacific / 

Western 

Pacific 

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species / 

Fishery Ecosystem Plan 

for Pacific Pelagic 

Fisheries of the Western 

Pacific Region 

bigeye tuna - Pacific* x 

Pacific bluefin tuna – Pacific* x 

*This stock also appears in Table 10 as a stock subject to overfishing in the Pacific Islands Region’ s Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP. Each of 

the 8 stocks shared between these two FMPs is listed only once in the support tables as a single stock managed under both FMPs. The Southwest and the Pacific 

Islands Regions, along with the Pacific and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils, are working together to end overfishing in this stock. 

 

14Total includes 8 pelagic species shared with the Pacific Islands Region.
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 15 

Northwest Region 

Two FMPs containing 155 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the Pacific Fishery Management 

Council. In addition, Pacific halibut is managed jointly with the Alaska Region and the International Pacific Halibut 

Commission. Within these FMPs, no stocks are subject to overfishing, six stocks are overfished, and no stocks are 

approaching an overfished condition (Table 9). 

Pacific 

1. Pacific Coast Groundfish 

2. West Coast Salmon 

Table 9. Northwest Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished 

condition. 

Council FMP Stock Overfishing 

condition 

Overfished Condition 

Overfished Approaching 

Pacific 

Pacific Coast 

Groundfish 

Canary rockfish x

cowcod x

Pacific ocean perch x 

yelloweye rockfish x

Pacific Coast Salmon 

Chinook salmon - California Central 

Valley: Sacramento (fall) 

 x

coho salmon - Washington Coast: 

Western Strait of Juan de Fuca 

 x
16 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Pacific Islands Region 

Five FEPs containing 66 stocks or complexes15 are managed by NMFS and the Western Pacific Fishery 

Management Council. Within these FEPs, two stocks or stock complexes are subject to overfishing, one stock or 

stock complex is overfished, and no stocks or stock complexes are approaching an overfished condition (Table 10). 

Western Pacific 

1. American Samoa Archipelago 

2. Hawaii Archipelago 

3. Mariana Archipelago 

4. Pacific Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region 

5. Pacific Remote Island Areas 

Table 10. Pacific Islands Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished condition. 

Council FEP Stock Overfishing 

condition 

Overfished Condition 

Overfished Approaching 

Pacific / 

Western 

Pacific 

U.S. West Coast 

Fisheries for Highly 

Migratory Species / 

Fishery Ecosystem Plan 

for Pacific Pelagic 

Fisheries of the Western 

Pacific Region 

bigeye tuna - Pacific* x 

Pacific bluefin tuna - Pacific* x 

Western 

Pacific

Fishery Ecosystem Plan 

for the Hawaii 

Archipelago 

Seamount Groundfish complex - 

Hancock Seamount** 

 x

*This stock also appears in Table 8 as a stock subject to overfishing in the Southwest Region’s West Coast Highly Migratory Species FMP. Each of the 8 stocks 

shared between these two FMPs is listed only once in the support tables as a single stock managed under both FMPs. The Southwest and the Pacific Islands Regions, 

along with the Pacific and Western Pacific Fishery Management Councils, are working together to end overfishing in this stock. 

**This stock complex uses pelagic armorhead as the indicator species of a three-species seamount groundfish complex that includes raftfish and alfonsin. There is no 

U.S. fishery for any of the species in this complex. 

 

 

15Total includes 8 pelagic species shared with the Southwest Region.
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 17 

Alaska Region 

Six FMPs containing 64 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS and the North Pacific Fishery Management 

Council. In addition, Pacific halibut is managed jointly with the Northwest Region and the International Pacific 

Halibut Commission. Within these FMPs, no stocks or stock complexes are subject to overfishing, two stocks or 

stock complexes are overfished, and no stocks or stock complexes are approaching an overfished condition (Table 

11). 

North Pacific 

1. Alaska Salmon 

2. Alaska Weathervane Scallops 

3. Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) Groundfish 

4. BSAI King and Tanner Crab 

5. Fish Resources of the Arctic Management Area 

6. Gulf of Alaska Groundfish 

Table 11. Alaska Region stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an overfished 

condition. 

Council FMP Stock Overfishing 

condition 

Overfished Condition 

Overfished Approaching 

North Pacific BSAI King and Tanner 

Crab 

blue king crab - Pribilof Islands x

Southern Tanner crab - Bering Sea x

BSAI = Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands 
18 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 

One FMP containing 27 stocks or complexes are managed by NMFS. Within this FMP, nine stocks or stock 

complexes are subject to overfishing, nine stocks or stock complexes are overfished, and two stocks are approaching 

an overfished condition (Table 12). 

Atlantic HMS 

1. Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species 

Table 12. Atlantic Highly Migratory stocks that are subject to overfishing, are overfished, or are approaching an 

overfished condition. 

Council FMP Stock Overfishing 

condition 

Overfished Condition 

Overfished Approaching 

Atlantic 

HMS 

Consolidated Atlantic 

Highly Migratory 

Species 

albacore - North Atlantic x x 

blacknose shark - Atlantic x x 

blue marlin - Atlantic x x 

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic x x 

dusky shark x x 

Porbeagle shark x 

sailfish - West Atlantic x 

sandbar shark - Atlantic* x 

scalloped hammerhead – Atlantic x x 

shortfin mako - Atlantic x x

white marlin - Atlantic x x

yellowfin tuna - Atlantic x

*This stock is part of the Large Coastal Shark complex, but is assessed separately. 
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries | 19 

Stock status comparison between 2010 and 2011 

Table 13 and 14 present a comparison between fish stocks with determinations of subject to overfishing and 

overfished for 2010 and 2011, respectively. 

Table 13. Comparison of stocks or stock complexes with “subject to overfishing” determinations in 2010 and 2011. 

Stocks in GREEN under “2010” were removed from the list in 2011. Stocks in RED under "2011" were added to the 

list in 2011. 

COUNCIL 

# of stocks 

reviewed in 

2011 

2010 (n=40) 2011 (n=36) 

Caribbean 22 

queen conch queen conch 

Grouper Unit 1 Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 4 Grouper Unit 4 

Parrotfish complex Parrotfish complex 

Snapper Unit 1 Snapper Unit 1 

Gulf of Mexico 53 

gag gag 

gray triggerfish gray triggerfish 

greater amberjack greater amberjack 

red snapper red snapper 

Highly Migratory 

Species 24 

albacore - North Atlantic albacore - North Atlantic 

blacknose shark - Atlantic blacknose shark - Atlantic 

blue marlin - Atlantic blue marlin - Atlantic 

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic bluefin tuna - West Atlantic 

dusky shark - Atlantic dusky shark - Atlantic 

sailfish - West Atlantic sailfish - West Atlantic 

SANDBAR SHARK - ATLANTIC** - 

- SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD - ATLANTIC

shortfin mako - Atlantic shortfin mako - Atlantic 

white marlin - Atlantic white marlin - Atlantic 

New England* 36 

cod - GB cod - GB 

cod - GOM cod - GOM 

white hake white hake 

Windowpane – GOM/GB Windowpane – GOM/GB 

Windowpane - SNE/MA Windowpane - SNE/MA 

WINTER FLOUNDER - GB - 

WINTER FLOUNDER - SNE/MA - 

Witch flounder Witch flounder 

yellowtail flounder - CC/GOM yellowtail flounder – CC/GOM 

yellowtail flounder - SNE/MA yellowtail flounder - SNE/MA 

Pacific 168 YELLOWFIN TUNA - EASTERN PACIFIC - 

Pacific / Western 

Pacific 10 bigeye tuna - Pacific bigeye tuna - Pacific 

bluefin tuna - Pacific bluefin tuna - Pacific 

South Atlantic 84 

black sea bass black sea bass 

gag gag 

red grouper red grouper 

red snapper red snapper 

snowy grouper snowy grouper 

speckled hind speckled hind 

TILEFISH - 

vermilion snapper vermilion snapper 

warsaw grouper warsaw grouper 

*GB = Georges Bank; GOM = Gulf of Maine; SNE = Southern New England; MA = Mid-Atlantic; CC = Cape Cod. 

**This stock is part of the Large Coastal Shark complex, but is assessed separately. 
20 | NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service – 2011 Status of U.S. Fisheries 

Table 14. Stocks or stock complexes with “overfished” determinations in 2010 and 2011. Stocks in GREEN under 

“2010” were removed from the list in 2011. Stocks in RED under “2011” were added to the list in 2011. 

COUNCIL # of stocks reviewed 

in 2011 2010* (n = 48) 2011 (n = 45) 

Caribbean 22 

Grouper Unit 1 Grouper Unit 1 

Grouper Unit 2 Grouper Unit 2 

Grouper Unit 4 Grouper Unit 4 

queen conch queen conch 

Gulf of Mexico 53 

red snapper red snapper 

greater amberjack greater amberjack 

gray triggerfish gray triggerfish 

gag gag 

Highly Migratory 

Species 

24 

albacore - North Atlantic albacore - North Atlantic 

blacknose shark - Atlantic blacknose shark - Atlantic 

blue marlin - Atlantic blue marlin - Atlantic 

bluefin tuna - West Atlantic bluefin tuna - West Atlantic 

dusky shark dusky shark 

porbeagle shark porbeagle shark 

sandbar shark – Atlantic** sandbar shark – Atlantic** 

- SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD - ATLANTIC

white marlin - Atlantic white marlin - Atlantic 

Mid-Atlantic 11 butterfish butterfish 

New England 36 

Atlantic salmon Atlantic salmon 

Atlantic halibut Atlantic halibut 

Atlantic wolffish Atlantic wolffish 

cod - GB cod - GB 

ocean pout ocean pout 

white hake white hake 

windowpane - GOM/GB windowpane - GOM/GB 

WINTER FLOUNDER - GB - 

winter flounder - SNE/MA winter flounder - SNE/MA 

witch flounder witch flounder 

yellowtail flounder - CC/GOM yellowtail flounder - CC/GOM 

yellowtail flounder - GB yellowtail flounder - GB 

yellowtail flounder - SNE/MA yellowtail flounder - SNE/MA 

thorny skate - GOM thorny skate - GOM 

SMOOTH SKATE - GOM - 

North Pacific 63 blue king crab - Pribilof Islands blue king crab - Pribilof Islands 

Southern Tanner crab – Bering Sea Southern Tanner crab – Bering Sea 

Pacific 168 

canary rockfish canary rockfish 

cowcod cowcod 

PACIFIC OCEAN PERCH

PETRALE SOLE

yelloweye rockfish yelloweye rockfish 

chinook salmon - California Central Valley: 

Sacramento (fall) 

chinook salmon - California Central Valley: 

Sacramento (fall) 

COHO SALMON - WASHINGTON COAST: QUEETS

coho salmon - Washington Coast: Western Strait of 

Juan de Fuca 

coho salmon - Washington Coast: Western Strait of 

Juan de Fuca 

South Atlantic 84 

BLACK SEA BASS

red grouper red grouper 

red porgy red porgy 

red snapper red snapper 

snowy grouper snowy grouper 

pink shrimp*** pink shrimp*** 

Western Pacific 40 Seamount Groundfish complex - Hancock 

Seamounts 

Seamount Groundfish complex - Hancock 

Seamounts 

*GB = Georges Bank; GOM = Gulf of Maine; SNE = Southern New England; MA = Mid-Atlantic; CC = Cape Cod. 

**This stock is part of the Large Coastal Shark complex, but is assessed separately. 

***Pink shrimp are an annual crop. An advisory panel concluded that the apparent decline in pink shrimp abundance appears to be due to environmental factors rather 

than to overfishing. 


An online version of this report is available at 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/statusoffisheries/SOSmain.htm

This publication may be cited as: 

NMFS, 2012, Annual Report to Congress on the Status of U.S. Fisheries-2011, U.S. Department 

of Commerce, NOAA, Natl., Mar. Fish. Serv., Silver Spring, MD, 20 pp. 

Cover photo of Bering Sea snow crab being off-loaded, Dutch Harbor, AK. Photo courtesy of 

Forrest Bowers, Alaska Department of Fish and Game 
U.S. Secretary of Commerce 

John Bryson 

Administrator of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

and Undersecretary of Commerce 

Dr. Jane Lubchenco 

Acting Assistant Administrator for Fisheries 

National Marine Fisheries Service 

Samuel D. Rauch, III 

www.nmfs.noaa.gov

National Marine Fisheries Service 

1315 East-West Highway 

SSMC3, F/SF Room 9535 

U.S. Government – 2012